After signing a pair of standouts from Western Pennsylvania in the 2012 class, the Kent State coaching staff has continued to hit the area hard in the 2013 cycle. Recently the Flashes were the first program to offer Mc Kees Rocks (Pa.) Montour defensive tackle Tyler Haddock. The 6-foot, 300-pound prospect is the teammate of 2012 signee Julian Durden and was excited to get the news.

"When my coach told me there was no better feeling in my life," said Haddock. "Knowing that Julian Durden was going to be there already was perfect. That first one felt so good to get because it made me feel like I was truly a Division I player. I knew I had D-1 ability but I didn't know if anyone believed in me because of my height."

Haddock spoke to his main recruiter from Kent State and is now hoping to make an unofficial visit in the near future.

"Coach (Chris) Bache is the coach who offered me," he explained. "We were on the phone for 10 minutes talking about the situation and I loved how honest he was with me. I will be visiting Kent State very soon and I can't wait till that day."

The early offer from the Flashes has them in a solid position right now, though the big tackle is hearing from plenty of other programs.

"Kent State is the favorite because they are my only offer," he said. "I would say Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Pitt, and Rutgers (are programs showing serious interest) mainly but about 25 other schools are recruiting me, but not too heavily yet."

Having a former teammate in Durden heading to Kent State has helped the Flashes get in the door in this recruitment and Haddock says the two are close friends.

"We are great friends," he said. "We train together and we won a championship together and almost had two championships."

In addition to an upcoming visit to Kent State, Haddock has recently been to Pittsburgh and also intends to visit Rutgers and UCONN at some point.